Hood River, Oregon has two distinct attractions within walking distance of each other, and both of them involve decay. The Hood River Pumping Station sits at the start of the Hood River Pipeline Trail, and the trail itself crosses a catwalk high above the river. One is a ruined building, the other a walk through the trees. Both are worth the trip.
The Abandoned Pumping Station
The Hood River Pumping Station was built to supply power to Hood River from 1923 until 2006. It was a hydroelectric facility that operated for decades before a 2006 flood destroyed the dam upstream. That flood closed the station permanently.
Today the building stands empty, covered in graffiti and smashed windows. The floor has openings in it, and broken glass lies everywhere. The site has become a destination for urban explorers who want to see what decay looks like up close. It is not maintained, and it shows. The building is still open, but it is clearly not meant for visitors. The graffiti on the walls is the only sign of recent life.
The graffiti on the walls is the only sign of recent life.
The Trail That Runs Through It
The pumping station also serves as the starting point for the Hood River Pipeline Trail. The trail runs about three miles round trip, following railroad tracks and old trails before reaching the catwalk. The route is simple: out and back, mostly flat, with some elevation gain near the end.
The trail begins at the parking lot near the pumping station. From there it follows a path that parallels the river and passes old pipes and pipe structures along the way. Many of those pipes are covered in graffiti, adding to the sense of abandonment that defines the whole area.
The trail eventually reaches a catwalk that carries hikers across the river. The catwalk climbs into the trees, becoming an elevated walk through the trees next to the river. The combination of the catwalk and the elevated walk gives the trail its character.
What Makes the Trail Worth the Hike
The catwalk is the main draw of the trail. It runs above the river, offering views of the water below. The walk climbs into the trees, giving hikers a different perspective on the landscape. The graffiti along the way adds color to an otherwise quiet setting.
The trail is short enough that it can be done in a morning, but there is enough to see that a longer visit rewards patience. The pumping station alone could fill an afternoon, and the trail offers a different kind of experience nearby. Together they make a day in Hood River worthwhile.
A Short History of the Site
The pumping station’s story is straightforward. It was built in 1923 to supply power to Hood River, and it operated continuously until 2006. That year a flood destroyed the dam upstream, shutting down the facility. The building was left behind.
Since then the site has been abandoned. The graffiti that covers the walls suggests that it has not been entirely forgotten. Visitors have left their marks, though the source does not say what form those marks take beyond the graffiti. The station remains open, though its condition is poor.
The trail, by contrast, is newer. It follows railroad tracks and old paths, connecting the pumping station to the river. The catwalk is the centerpiece, a bridge that carries hikers above the water. The trail is a walk through the trees, with old pipes and graffiti along the way.
A Comparison of the Two Sites
| Feature | Pumping Station | Pipeline Trail |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 1923–2006 | Follows railroad tracks and old paths |
| Distance | Parking lot | About 3 miles round trip |
| Condition | Abandoned, graffiti-covered, smashed windows | Open, with elevated walkway |
| Main attraction | Ruined building | Catwalk crossing the river |
The comparison shows how closely the two sites are linked. One is a ruin, the other a trail. Both offer a look at the region’s industrial past, told through different structures. The pumping station is a static monument to a lost era, while the trail is a moving path through the same landscape.
Both are worth visiting. The pumping station is a reminder of what the region once looked like, while the trail is a chance to see it from above. Together they form a small loop of history, decay, and natural beauty.
A Closer Look at the Ruin
The pumping station is the harder part of the trip. Its condition is poor, and the broken glass and openings in the floor mean visitors need to be careful. The graffiti on the walls makes the station feel lived-in, even as the building falls apart around it.
The trail itself is a pleasant walk through the trees. The catwalk offers the best views, but the entire route is worth taking slowly. The old pipes along the way add texture to the scenery, and the graffiti gives the trail a sense of community.
The pumping station is a ruin, and the trail is a walk.
That is the simplest way to describe Hood River’s two most unusual attractions. The ruin is a monument to a lost era, and the trail is a chance to see the same landscape from above. Together they offer a complete picture of the region’s past, told through its infrastructure.
Source material: “Hood River Pumping Station and Pipeline Trail in Hood River, Oregon,” Atlas Obscura.
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